Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Wrist Syndrome: What are the Signs?
Do You Have Carpal Tunnel Wrist Syndrome: What are the Signs?
Do you have Carpal Tunnel Wrist Syndrome? Do you feel hand and wrist pain, severe cramping and tingling sensations in your wrists and fingers, if you do. You may be suffering from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, or CTS. Many people find the symptoms of CTS more severe at night, and it can effect a person’s sleeping. You can try shaking your fingers and shaking out your wrist it will ease the pain, but only temporarily. Some carpal tunnel wrist pain sufferers notice that the effects of the condition worsens as it becomes more advanced. You may start to drop things regularly and find it difficult to manipulate small objects. As it advances, you may experience a loss of sensation in your hands, a lack of strength and function and a weakening of the muscles in your palms.
What Is Carpal Tunnel Wrist Syndrome?
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome is caused when your median nerve becomes compressed at your wrist, and can lead to paralysis, numbness and muscle weakness. The carpal tunnel wrist is surrounded by bone on three of its sides, with a transverse carpal ligament on the remaining side. Nine flexor tendons as well as the median nerve pass through this canal. The canal becomes smaller and this causes pain when a person is suffering from Carpal Tunnel Wrist Syndrome. The median nerve compresses when tissue swells up around your flexor tendons. Nerve pain creates a weakness and numbness feeling in the effected area.
Want to know more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, here is a great video for you so you can understand more about Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
Possible causes of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome or RSI|Carpal Tunnel Wrist
Repetitive strain injuries (RSI) or carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) are cause by repetitive hand movement. Most common people who are prone to carpal tunnel syndrome are those people who are frequently using computer keyboard and keyboard instruments. This includes musicians, knitters, gamers and people in occupational roles.
- Musicians
- Occupational roles
- Gamers
Musical Instruments can sound great, but sometimes can be torturous for the person who plays it. Pianos/keyboards, guitars, flutes and trumpets are common instruments that can cause aching hands, RSI or CTS.
(Tell me more about, carpal tunnel syndrome for Musicians)
Over the last twenty years the amount of people that have developed CTS and RSI from working in the office has sky rocketed. People working in roles such as office administrators, computer programmers, secretaries, personal assistants, typists and data entry operators should be mindful to treat their aching hands before gets worse. CTS also affects hairdresser, dentists, builders and shop keepers who also do tasks that require regular hand movements.
(Tell me more about, carpal tunnel syndrome for Occupational roles)
Over the last few years it is becoming more common for gamers of all ages to develop RSI, CTS or just aching hands. If you are playing Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC video games or your PDA device, you should use daily exercises and stretches to treat your aching hands.
(Tell me more about, carpal tunnel syndrome for Gamers )
Simple Remedies
There are several simple techniques and remedies you can try to help relieve the pain of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
- Make sure you take regular breaks when you are using a computer keyboard for long periods of time, or if you are playing games that involve a lot of finger movement. Take regular breaks every 15 or 20 minutes and alternate tasks when possible. Breaks are very important if you use equipment that vibrates or if you need to use a lot of force.
- Regularly do wrist exercises. Hold your arm straight in front of you, palm facing outward and then with your hand, gently pull back your fingertips. Hold for a few seconds and release. Once you are finished, repeat with the other arm.
- Keeping your hands warm is also valuable tip. Cold and humid environments are more likely to cause pain and stiffness. Try wearing fingerless gloves that will keep your fingers free while keeping your hands and wrists warm.Most people use more force than they really need to in order to perform everyday tasks that involve the use of your hands. Relax your grip and try to reduce the force you use when performing these tasks. Try hitting the keys on a cash register or your keyboard more softly.
